Germany commemorates November 1938 pogroms and fall of the Berlin Wall | DW News

Key Concepts

• November 9th in German History: A date of dual significance, marking the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews and the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall.
• Pogromnacht (Kristallnacht): The Nazi-orchestrated anti-Jewish pogrom of November 9, 1938, involving destruction of synagogues, ransacking of Jewish homes and businesses, and murder of approximately 400 people.
• Fall of the Berlin Wall: The event on November 9, 1989, symbolizing the end of decades of division in Germany and contributing to the end of communism in Europe.
• Weimar Republic: Germany's first attempt at democracy, declared on November 9, 1918.
• Vergangenheitsbewältigung (Coming to Terms with the Past): A German concept and process of confronting and processing historical wrongdoings, particularly the Nazi past.
• Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz): Germany's domestic intelligence agency.
• Alternative for Germany (AfD): A far-right populist political party in Germany.
• Remembrance Culture: The ongoing process of remembering and reflecting on historical events and their significance.

November 9th: A Day of Light and Shade in German History

The transcript highlights November 9th as a date of profound and contrasting significance in Germany. It marks the anniversaries of two pivotal events:

• The Nazi Pogrom of 1938 (Pogromnacht/Kristallnacht): On this day, 87 years prior to the recording (November 9th), the Nazis carried out a violent anti-Jewish pogrom. The scale of destruction was immense, with over 1,400 synagogues destroyed, thousands of Jewish homes and businesses ransacked, and approximately 400 people murdered. This event is a stark reminder of the Nazis' capacity for crimes against humanity, including the systematic extermination of European Jews.
• The Fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989: Exactly 51 years later, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, signifying the end of decades of division in Germany and a crucial step towards German reunification. This event is seen as a moment of incredible hope and a symbol of the end of communism in Europe.
• Declaration of the First Republic in 1918: The transcript also mentions a third, earlier anniversary on November 9th, which marks the declaration of Germany's first republic in 1918, the Weimar Republic, representing Germany's initial attempt at democracy.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's speech on this day emphasized the lessons to be learned from these events, stating: "We know where it leads when people are marginalized, persecuted, and tortured because they are perceived as different. In the end, they are even denied their humanity. That is the warning of November 9th, 1938. It is the most important lesson to be learned from our history."

Current Threats to Democracy and Rising Extremism

The commemoration of these historical events comes at a time when Germany, and indeed Europe, is facing a resurgence of antisemitism and far-right extremism. This raises concerns about whether the lessons of history are being adequately learned.

Warning Signs and Statistics

• Rising Antisemitic Crimes: Jewish leaders in Germany have expressed feeling less safe than in decades. Official statistics reveal a significant increase in antisemitically motivated crimes. In 2023 and 2024, there were over 5,000 such crimes annually, a doubling from the previous year.
• Motivations for Crimes: These crimes are attributed to various backgrounds, including far-right, far-left, and Islamist motivations.
• Context of October 7th Attacks: The transcript notes a connection between the rise in antisemitic incidents and the October 7th attacks in Israel in 2023, and the subsequent war.
• German Soil Sensitivity: President Steinmeier and others emphasize the particular egregiousness of such incidents occurring on German soil, considering its historical context.

President Steinmeier's Warning on Threats to Democracy

President Steinmeier's speech directly addressed the current threats to democracy, stating: "Never in the history of our reunified country have democracy and freedom been under such attack. Threatened by a Russian aggressor who has shattered our peace and against whom we must protect ourselves. and now threatened by right-wing extremist forces that are attacking our democracy and gaining support among the population. To simply take shelter and try and ride out the storm isn't enough. We must act and we can act. Our democracy is not doomed to surrender. Democracy can fight back."

The Rise of the AfD and the Debate on Banning Political Parties

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the growing influence of the far-right populist party, the Alternative for Germany (AfD).

• AfD's Popularity: The AfD is currently polling as the second-largest party in Germany, with roughly a quarter of the population supporting it.
• Threat to Democracy: President Steinmeier implicitly refers to the AfD as a clear threat to democracy, drawing parallels to historical lessons about the fragility of democratic systems.
• Debate on Banning the AfD: The transcript highlights a controversial debate in Germany regarding whether the AfD is so extreme that it should be banned. This debate gained momentum after Germany's domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, declared the AfD to be far-right extremist.
• Constitutional Process for Banning: The transcript explains that banning a party is a complex constitutional process. It requires a motion from the government or parliament, followed by a decision from the Constitutional Court. President Steinmeier advocates for trusting this process, emphasizing that it is not anti-democratic to examine such possibilities within the framework of the constitution. He did not explicitly state whether he believes the party should be banned but stressed the importance of the ongoing political debate.

Vergangenheitsbewältigung and the Evolution of Remembrance Culture

Historian Magnus Brecken provides insights into Germany's process of "Vergangenheitsbewältigung" (coming to terms with the past) and its implications for contemporary society.

The Long and Difficult Process of Confronting the Past

• Initial Silence: Brecken notes that confronting the Nazi past was not popular in Germany immediately after 1945. The 1950s were characterized by silence, with public discussion only developing in the 1960s and 1970s with a change in generations.
• Research and Public Discourse: Research into perpetrators and the role of the general population (Volksgemeinschaft) during the Third Reich emerged later, in the 1980s and 1990s, respectively.
• Self-Critical View: Despite the difficulties, the past 70-75 years of discourse have led to a "very helpful self-critical view on its own history" in Germany. This self-criticism aids in addressing contemporary issues like antisemitism, anti-democratic movements, and extremist ideologies.
• Ongoing Process: Brecken emphasizes that Vergangenheitsbewältigung is not a finite event but an ongoing process ("Angebotsbewältigung" or "Angebotsbewältigung") that evolves with a changing society.

Balancing Historical Memories and Evolving Remembrance Culture

• Competition of Memories: Brecken acknowledges a tendency for the joyful narrative of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 to overshadow the commemoration of the 1938 pogrom, particularly in circles associated with the GDR's downfall.
• Addressing Colonial Past: The transcript touches upon the need to address Germany's colonial past, recognizing it as a distinct historical narrative from the Nazi era. Germany lost its colonies in 1918, making its colonial history different from that of other colonial empires.
• Adapting to a Diverse Society: With Germany becoming increasingly diverse and younger generations having no direct recollection of the Third Reich or the GDR, remembrance culture needs to adapt. The focus should shift from ritualization to actively applying lessons from the past to present-day challenges, including right-wing and left-wing anti-democratic movements.

The Challenge of Fading Remembrance Culture and Social Media

A critical challenge identified is the potential fading of remembrance culture, especially in the age of social media.

• Information from Social Media: Many people now derive their information from social media, which is often not based on factual knowledge or historical research.
• Historians' Role: Historians and educators face the significant challenge of re-emphasizing the necessity of factual, document-based knowledge and bringing it back into public discourse.
• Critical Thinking: It is crucial for individuals to learn to question information presented online and to engage in discussions based on factual knowledge, rather than relying on first search results.

Conclusion

The transcript underscores the enduring importance of November 9th as a date that encapsulates Germany's complex history, from its darkest moments of persecution to its triumphs of freedom and reunification. The current rise in antisemitism and far-right extremism, exemplified by the growing influence of the AfD, necessitates a vigilant and active defense of democracy. Germany's long and often difficult process of Vergangenheitsbewältigung offers valuable lessons for confronting historical wrongdoings and for navigating contemporary challenges. The evolving nature of society and the pervasive influence of social media demand a continuous and critical engagement with history to ensure that its lessons are not forgotten and that democracy remains protected.